Best Healthy Mac N Cheese Recipes

HEALTHIER HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE

Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese image

To make this rich mac and cheese recipe healthier we use whole wheat bread crumbs, low-fat milk and cheese, whole wheat noodles, and reduced the amount of butter. Serve with a salad for a healthy meatless dinner.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories Pasta and Noodles Noodle Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat macaroni (such as Smart Taste®)
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread over macaroni to cover. Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770.4 calories, Carbohydrate 106.6 g, Cholesterol 60.3 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 10.6 g, Protein 42.5 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 750.2 mg, Sugar 9.6 g

MINI MAC & CHEESE BITES

Mini Mac & Cheese Bites image

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. -Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Appetizers

Time 45m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1-3/4 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup biscuit/baking mix
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425°. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, sprinkle 1/4 cup bread crumbs into 36 greased mini-muffin cups. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and seasonings until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese until melted., Remove from heat; stir in biscuit mix, eggs and 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Add macaroni; toss to coat. Spoon about 2 tablespoons macaroni mixture into prepared mini-muffin cups; sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and bread crumbs., Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 162mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.